Your Guide to Best Gifts To Look & Feel Good

The holidays are upon us! With that comes the hustle and bustle of parties, traveling, trying to get work done before the end of the year and celebrating with friends and family. Here are some of my favorite skincare and products that will make looking great easier this holiday season so you can sit back, glow and bask in the holiday season. PS - our round up make great gifts too!

Sparitual for the Eco-Conscious, Vegan & Mindful

​Products I like: Their nail polish, SPARITUAL GOLD, doesn't have toxic chemicals like formaldahyde, is 100% vegan, lasts long and quickly dries with a high-shine finish.The two step process is easy with color and topcoat after a dry manicure and the brush has 600 bristles to make application easier and more precise. The colors are sumptuous with fun names like Dreamsicle, Delight, Beloved and other inspiring monikers.

Treat yourself to INFINITELY LOVING SOAK TONIC with aromatic plant extracts like chamomile, hibiscus, and ginger for overworked hands, feet and body with a soothing soak in aromatic plant extracts. Primrose and kukui oil condition skin. Perfect before a manicure or pedicure. Retails for $30.

Solemate Foot Balm, (don't you just love the name?) is formulated with Fair Trade Certified organic shea butter to hydrate dry, flakey skin and is said to also help soothe sore joints. (Perfect for those that are on their feet all day, for travelers, for skiers, skater and just about everyone! Retails for $20.

Kimberly Parry: Certified Organic, Made in the USA

What I like about Kimberly Parry: All of their products are USDA certified organic, 100% vegan (never tested on animals during any phase of development) AND are proudly made locally in the USA, in San Clemente, CA. If you are a person who likes to learn about plant-based skincare products, check out Kimberly Parry's Ingredient Glossary and the also products from Kimberly Parry have received some of the highest safety ratings from the non-profit, non-partisan Environmental Working Group which researches and reports on the hazards of food and personal care products.

To receive a handwritten note from Kimberly really was a lovely touch and made trying her products all the more personal. I was interested in reviewing products specific to traveling well and self-care over the holidays. Here are some of my favorites:

Neroli & Fig Facial Mist: How I love the smell of Neroli - a relaxing and calming scent. Neroli is an anti-inflammatory with anti-bacterial properties. This 1.7 oz facial mist is TSA compliant and is especially beneficial to combat the bad air on planes and affects of winter weather. Also - if you're on a long haul - the scent alone will make you feel better. Retails for $48

Sage & Rosemary Cleansing Oil: is antibacterial, anti inflammatory, antiseptic and is a natural astringent that cleans clogged pores for balanced, hydrated skin. One of the main ingredients is jojoba oil, used by Native Americans for centuries, jojoba oil in treating skin infections of the skin making this product an effective way to treat for acne. Retails for $52

Herbal Liniment is a must-have when traveling, at work and for the medicine cabinet at home. Use it to cleanse minor scrapes, cuts and blisters and protect from infections. Also good for bug bits and poison oak/ivy rashes. Retails for $26

Ginger Mint Foot Scrub invigorates the skin and stimulates lymph fluids and exfoliates dry rough skin without using salt.Extremely healing for people who suffer from psoriasis and eczema and is good for everyone! Retails for $26 (Suggestion: Pair with the Ginger Mint Foot Balm to help perk up tired feet and legs.)www.kimberlyparry.com

GREAT GIFT: Save Your Skin Holiday Kit FROM Pevonia

What I like about Pevonia: A preferred skincare brand and trusted among professional aestheticians.Product I like: The Holiday SOS Kit delivers a slew of products in a well-packed white pouch including a full-size YouthRenew Tinted Cream SPF 30, 1 oz, Tension Relief Gel 1.7 oz, plus their best-selling Phyto-Gel Cleanser and Rejuvenating Dry Skin. Retails for $59 and makes a good gift.www.pevonia.com

Buy This: Power Repair Age-Defying Marine Collagen Cream

Rehydrates, plump fine lines and protect against UV damage.Great for those with early signs of aging, especially fine lines and dry or dehydrated skin.

​Note: Product is out of stock at the time of this writing.

Editor's Note

While I was invited to try many skincare and beauty products (and did) for this holiday skincare round-up, this article represents the best of the best. Many thanks to all of the brands and lines that provided products to trial and review. Happy Holidays and best wishes to all.